Kidney Health Australia were commissioned by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health to develop The National Strategic Action Plan for Kidney Disease (the Action Plan) on behalf of the kidney community. The Action Plan was commissioned in recognition of the significant and growing impact of kidney disease on the health and wellbeing of Australians as well as the economic impact on society. The Action Plan is accompanied by a Public Health and Chronic Disease Program grant of $3.7 million.

The genuine involvement and input from so many stakeholders from across the kidney disease sector into the development of the Action Plan is what makes it so effective. Kidney Health Australia thanks all those organisations and individuals who contributed to the development of this plan.

The Action Plan outlines a national, coordinated response to kidney disease - a blueprint for transforming kidney disease in this country over the next ten years - with over thirty actions across three priority areas designed to address the most pressing needs in kidney disease. With the right focus, collaboration and partnerships, Australia has the capacity to make lasting changes over the next ten years; slowing the tidal wave of chronic conditions, providing equitable support and care for people affected by kidney disease and using research to improve lives and ultimately find cures for deadly disease.

The intended audiences for the Action Plan include the Australian and state and territory governments, health service providers and funders, clinicians, consumers, researchers and research funders. Achieving the plan’s vision will require coordinated national action and partnerships across all levels of government and the health system, non-government organisations, the private sector, researchers and academics, and people affected by kidney disease.

The Action Plan is to be accompanied by three compendium documents detailing the evidence base supporting the Action Plan, a stocktake of relevant programs and initiatives at a state and national level, and a summary of the consultation undertaken in developing the Action Plan.

The Action Plan was announced by the Hon Katie Allen MP in Melbourne on World Kidney Day 12 March 2020.

The Action Plan contains guidance, goals and specific actions we can take to improve Kidney Disease care.

The major priority areas for action were identified:

Prevention, Detection and Education.

Optimal Care and Support.

Research and Data.

Under each of these major priority areas are a number of recommendations for action including specific tasks relating to kidney transplantation, and kidney disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.